Companies with best, worst reputations

May 2, 2014 12:23 PM

Corporate America is looking better in our eyes, according to a recent survey from Harris Poll. Although more people are skeptical than confident in major companies, that gap is shrinking.

Harris Poll ranked reputations of 60 very visible companies, based on interviews with more than 18,000 people from December 2013 and January 2014. The survey looked at six factors: social responsibility, emotional appeal, products and services, vision and leadership, financial performance, and workplace environment. Scores 80 and above are excellent, while scores below 50 are considered critical. Most are in the middle.

We looked at the 10 highest and lowest scorers. Sprint Corporation ranked 10th on the list of companies with worst reputations, with a score of 62.33.

BP scored 57, a small shift from the 56.55 from last year and 53.5 from 2012.

BP scored 57, a small shift from the 56.55 from last year and 53.5 from 2012.

BP scored 57, a small shift from the 56.55 from last year and 53.5... Photo-4752489.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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1. Worst reputation: Bank of America

Bank of America received a reputation score of 55.34. This is its third year in a row near the bottom of the list, after receiving a 55.85 score in 2013 and 49.85 in 2012.

Banking as a whole did not perform well on the Harris Poll, with 45 percent of respondents rating it negatively and and 31 percent saying it has a positive reputation. The rest gave a neutral response.

Bank of America received a reputation score of 55.34. This is its... Photo-4928074.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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10. Best reputation: Sony

Sony scored 79.77 on the Harris Poll, compared with 78.29 in 2013. The technology industry as a whole did well on the Harris Poll, with 80 percent of respondents rating it positively, 15 percent neutrally, and 5 percent negatively. less

Sony scored 79.77 on the Harris Poll, compared with 78.29 in 2013. The technology industry as a whole did well on the Harris Poll, with 80 percent of respondents rating it positively, 15 percent neutrally, and ... more

Microsoft received a score of 80.11 this year, a 3.7 point year over year jump from 76.46 in 2013. It ranked among the top five companies in social responsibility, financial performance, and workplace environment. less

Microsoft received a score of 80.11 this year, a 3.7 point year over year jump from 76.46 in 2013. It ranked among the top five companies in social responsibility, financial performance, and workplace ... more

Photo: Steven Senne, Associated Press

Microsoft received a score of 80.11 this year, a 3.7 point year... Photo-5953389.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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8. Best reputation: Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market ranked first for social responsibility. It received an overall reputation score of 80.45, compared with 78.65 in 2013.

Whole Foods Market ranked first for social responsibility. It received an overall reputation score of 80.45, compared with 78.65 in 2013.

There's a lot to like about Samsung's new Galaxy S5 smartphone - among them, its relative lack of features. The AP's Nick Jesdanun takes a closer look. (April 9)

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

Samsung ranked third for product and services and got a reputation... Media-120575.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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6. Best reputation: Costco

Costco received a score of 80.75, compared with 77.95 in 2013. It ranked among the top five for emotional appeal and workplace environment.

Costco received a score of 80.75, compared with 77.95 in 2013. It ranked among the top five for emotional appeal and workplace environment.

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Costco received a score of 80.75, compared with 77.95 in 2013. It... Photo-6051121.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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5. Best reputation: Honda Motor Company

2015 Honda Fit First Look

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

Honda was among the top five for emotional appeal and products and... Media-122054.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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4. Best reputation: The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company scored 81.5, a small jump from 82.12 in 2013. It ranked among the top five for social responsibility, vision and leadership, and financial performance.

The Walt Disney Company scored 81.5, a small jump from 82.12 in 2013. It ranked among the top five for social responsibility, vision and leadership, and financial performance.

Photo: Joe Burbank, AP

The Walt Disney Company scored 81.5, a small jump from 82.12 in... Photo-4471679.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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3. Best reputation: Apple

Apple received a score of 81.76, its sixth consecutive year scoring above 80. Apple ranked among the top five for product and services, vision and leadership, financial performance, and workplace environment. less

Apple received a score of 81.76, its sixth consecutive year scoring above 80. Apple ranked among the top five for product and services, vision and leadership, financial performance, and workplace ... more

Photo: Brendan Mcdermid, Reuters

Apple received a score of 81.76, its sixth consecutive year scoring... Photo-6217513.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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2. Best reputation: Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company scored 82.68, kicking Apple out of the No. 2 spot. It's the only company to rank in the top five for all six factors on the Harris Poll. Coca-Cola received a score of 80.39 in 2013, ranking sixth. less

The Coca-Cola Company scored 82.68, kicking Apple out of the No. 2 spot. It's the only company to rank in the top five for all six factors on the Harris Poll. Coca-Cola received a score of 80.39 in 2013, ... more

Photo: Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press

The Coca-Cola Company scored 82.68, kicking Apple out of the No. 2... Photo-5949095.85069 - Beaumont Enterprise

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1. Best reputation: Amazon.com

Amazon.com scored 83.87, taking the top spot for the second year in a row. It received an 82.62 last year.

Amazon took the No. 1 spots for emotional appeal, products and service, and workplace environment. It also scored well in terms of vision and leadership and financial performance.